How to flip a lead based exterior paint house?

Question

I have a house that has lead paint peeling off in the exterior. I was looking for a quote for a new paint job, and it came at $7000 for just paint and another $7000 for stripping lead off soffits and fascias. The house is brick and stucco and lead is only on wooden trims- porch column, patio roof siding, soffits, and fascias.

Is there an alternative strategy to give this home a face-lift without spending tremendous amount of money on the exterior? There's some work need to be in the house too and I don't want to spend the entire budget on paint.

Jesse Park · Answer

I just got a quote this morning and they told me that they remove the rot on existing wood first before they wrap. They'll also provide a  guarantee if the inside rots in the future.

From the dollar standpoint, covering fascia with aluminum and soffit with vinyl are similar to removing lead on them. Removing lead is definitely more expensive because they'll need to be repainted.

Michael Barnhart · Answer

This is great information to know, let us know what you end doing and how much it ended up costing!

Matt M. · Answer

@Jesse Park

Yes and nope! I’d say 90% of houses have wood wrapped in aluminum. Once it’s done, it’s done...

Jesse Park · Answer

Do you mean wrap over existing wood? Wouldn't that rot the wood underneath?

Matt M. · Answer

@Jesse Park

I would wrap the fascia in aluminum, and do vinyl soffits. Wrap anything and everything, and then it’s maintenance free! Do the minimum with lead abatement and repainting like the columns etc.

Marian Smith · Answer

@Jesse Park  Also, it is very  common here to have a thin masonite type facade fascia over a 2x subfascia board.  paints nice and cheaper than solid cedar.

Marian Smith · Answer

@Jesse Park  Would a coat or two of peel stop primer work?  zinser.  or some other brand.  Maybe rolled on for thicker coverage.

Eric James · Answer

Is it allowable there to put siding over the paint, without treating it?

Jesse Park · Answer

well, the popcorn ceiling with asbestos was taken care of the first week after closing...

The paint is not encapsulated so it sounds like stripping is the right move.

Mike McCarthy · Answer

@Jesse Park Yes, I think if you can find an RRP painter, they'll do it all at once. To become an RRP certified renovator it's an 8-hour class, which around here, all painters need to deal with since most houses are older.  Maybe houses older than 1978 are less prevalent there.

I would only replace the wood if it really needs to be replaced.  It will (should) be more expensive than just scraping and painting.